Aquarium de Touraine Fascinating immersion

Dive into a fascinating world where the waters of the Loire meet distant seas. From majestic catfish to mysterious sharks, and tropical fish in shimmering colours, the Aquarium de Touraine invites you on an extraordinary journey. Let yourself be carried away by this unique adventure, just a few minutes from Amboise. A visit to share with the whole family, to the delight of young and old alike!

An aquatic journey in the Loire Valley

The adventure begins as soon as you arrive, with 70 aquariums revealing their treasures. In the themed rooms, admire over 300 different species. The touch tank reserves amazing encounters with koi carp for children, while the fresh waters are home to impressive catfish.

Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium

With 5,000 m² dedicated to aquatic wonders, the Grand Aquarium de Touraine reigns supreme over European freshwater. The 2 million litres of water are home to a fascinating world where local species rub shoulders with their exotic cousins. A 30-metre glass tunnel transports you into the heart of this crystal-clear universe, while the themed pools tell the story of our rivers all the way to tropical lands.

Extend your surprising journey in the reptile nursery, where adults and children alike discover the newborns.

Comme des poissons dans l'eau... au grand aquarium de Touraine !

A unique family experience

Share magical moments around the touch pools where the stingrays glide under your fingers. The guide-animator reveals the secrets of marine creatures during discovery workshops, while children have fun recognising the species thanks to the booklet-game.

The sturgeon pool transports you to a fascinating world where freshwater giants swim. These ancestral creatures, with cartilaginous skeletons like sharks, glide majestically through their vast aquatic space. Their unique silhouette, recognisable by their bony escutcheons, bears witness to a history dating back millions of years.

An educational room welcomes apprentice biologists. Observe the metamorphosis of tadpoles, discover the life cycle of axolotls or take part in commented feedings of the residents. Over the course of this long experience, several proposals have been devised, alongside the classic visit:

The Lab: for 45 minutes, a caretaker explains his or her tasks and what goes on behind the scenes of such equipment.
Caretaker for a day: this service is offered from 9.30am to 12pm, with participation in feeding, cleaning the tanks, explanations on the reproduction of different species in the tanks…

A great gift idea for those who love animals!

Extend your visit

Parc Mini-Châteaux

Conservatoire de la Confiserie

Chez Oscar & Suzette - Guinguette sur les bords de Loire

The wonders of Touraine’s freshwater

Watch emblematic species in their reconstituted habitat: the common perch with its zebra back, the tench with its golden-brown scales, not forgetting the mysterious eel that slips between the roots. A fascinating natural spectacle awaits you in the cyprinid zone, where roach and bleak swim in glistening shoals.

The local fish nursery reveals the secrets of natural reproduction. Young and old alike marvel at the fry growing up before their eyes, living witnesses to the cycle of life in our waterways.

The Loire fish tunnel

Take in a unique experience in this 30-metre glass tunnel, a veritable window onto the aquatic life of the Loire. Catfish and pike move above your head, while silver pike-perch glide stealthily between two waters.

This architectural feat plunges you right into the heart of the Loire ecosystem. Black bass, perch and roach surround you in a fascinating aquatic dance. At certain times of the day, the sun’s rays shine through the windows, creating a spectacle of natural light on the scales of our boarders.

From freshwater to tropical seas

Your aquatic journey takes a new turn towards warm waterss. The temperature gradually rises while the scenery is decked out in brilliant colours. The flamboyantly coloured discus parade in their tropical environment, while the American paddlefish reveal their surprising hunting technique.

In the caiman zone, the reptiles bask on their island, peaceful witnesses to Amazonian biodiversity. The tour comes to a climactic close in a 15-metre tunnel where blacktip sharks glide elegantly amid multicoloured clownfish. A symphony of movement and colour that transforms every visitor into an ocean explorer.

@tourainevaldeloire 🐟 Come and discover the Grand Aquarium de Touraine! From typical #Loire species to the most exotic fish, spend a moment out of time! 🐠 #aquarium #ideesortie #foryou #fyp #pourtoi #touraine #amboise #printemps #france ♬ Aquarium – Kevin MacLeod

In a nutshell...

A unique glass tunnel to explore the Loire ecosystem

Walk under 30 metres of freshwater populated by fascinating pike and catfish

Meet the giant sturgeons, stars of the aquarium

Admire these impressive prehistoric fish in their vast aquatic area

A sensory journey from rivers to tropical reefs

Discover an exceptional biodiversity between fresh waters and colourful exotic worlds

A major site in the Loire Valley

Recognised as the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe, this site welcomes almost 100,000 visitors every year. The number of visitors testifies to its influence in the regional tourist landscape. Its strategic location between Tours and Amboise enhances the region’s appeal, creating a unique synergy with the surrounding châteaux.

The aquarium plays an active role in preserving our natural heritage of the Loire. its awareness-raising programmes reach over 15,000 schoolchildren annually, passing on the secrets of our aquatic ecosystems to new generations. A major educational role that fits perfectly with the cultural mission of the Val de Loire.

Discover our other not to be missed

The fortress of Montbazon

Opidom

The spine

Long live paddle!